Dr. Hendrix is a couple’s therapist with over 40 years experience as an educator, clinical trainer and lecturer whose work has been on Oprah 18 times. In addition to Dr. Hunt’s partnership with her husband in the co-creation of Imago, she is sole author of Faith and Feminism. She was installed in the Women’s Hall of Fame for her leadership in the global women’s movement. Helen and Harville have been married for over 30 years, have six children, and reside in Dallas, Texas.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE TO LEARN ABOUT:

• Why we fall in love and what happens in the partnering process.
• What drives us and compels us towards particular people.
• What is going on in the brain when we partner in a love relationship.
• How childhood experiences impact our relational needs.

“Your unconscious mind is experiencing and connecting with a person in adulthood who is similar to the caretakers you had in childhood, and that activates the hope and possibility that you will get those needs met.”

• How couples can shift their relationship dynamics.

• When there is conflict how to understand what unconscious patterns might be involved, and a valuable tool to help identify and assist in shifting these unconscious patterns.“The formula embedded in your frustration with your partner is a wish in disguise, in that it is an unexpressed desire.”

• How to engage in a dialogue process with your partner to increase understanding, empathy, and connection.

• What the term Zero Negativity means.

• Why negativity is one of the worst things you can do in relationship.“The primary commitment is to reconnect as quickly as possible so our brains don’t become habituated to a disconnected state.”

• Important advice about what is most important to making relationships successful.

MENTIONED:

• The Space Between: The Point of Connection  (book)

• Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples, 20th Anniversary Edition  (book)

• Making Marriage Simple: Ten Relationship-Saving Truths  (book)

• Harville & Helen (website)

• Relationships First (website)

• The Gottman Institute (website)

• Dr. Sue Johnson (website)

• Dr. Dan Siegel (website)

• Dr. Stephen Porges (website)

TRANSCRIPT:Click on this link to access the transcript for this episode:

ERP 138: The Most Critical Ingredient For Relationship Success, With Harville Hendrix and Helen Hunt [TRANSCRIPT]

If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here.

Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship.

Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here.

Thank you! 

If you are interested in developing new skills to overcome relationship challenges, please consider taking the Connected Couple Program or doing relationship coaching work with me.